LIVE OAK, FL — Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Suwannee Roots Revival featuring some of the finest in Americana, Bluegrass, Newgrass, Zydeco, Blues, and more! The event takes place Thursday, October 11 – Sunday, October 14 at the magical Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, FL. Featured acts include Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders, Donna the Buffalo, The Seldom Scene, Samantha Fish, Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, Rev. Jeff Mosier, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Tornado Rider, Joe Craven & The Sometimers, The Lee Boys, Sauce Boss, Belle and The Band, Whetherman, Quartermoon, Sloppy Joe, and Tania & Magic Moon Traveling Circus.With multiple stages (Amphitheater Stage, Porch Stage, Dance Tent, Music Hall, and Music Farmer’s Stage) Suwannee Roots Revival is jam-packed with stellar music and dance! A handful of bands will perform multiple sets and some artists will be participating in workshops throughout the weekend. This family-friendly festival includes four days of music, camping, yoga, a Kids Tent, as well as campground pickin’ sessions hosted by Sloppy Joe at Slopryland and Quartermoon at Bill Monroe Shrine as well as throughout SOSMP! Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, and biking.Live For Live Music’s Rex Thomson says, “Attendees of Roots have a long tradition of acknowledging greatness when they see it.” Greatness is what they will get!The extremely talented and innovative Keller Williams has thrilled Suwannee audiences many times over the years and Roots attendees will remember The HillBender’s mind-blowing performance of “The Who’s Tommy” in our first year. Coming together as Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders, they pay tribute to Tom Petty who was a Gainesville native, a great fit for Suwannee with sing-alongs that some people didn’t even know they knew!Donna the Buffalo, known for their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music, serves as the pillar of our weekend and returns for three days! Donna the Buffalo has performed at Spirit of Suwannee every Spring and Fall for over 20 years and their songs are part of the living amphitheater itself always closing out the Amphitheatre Stage on Sunday bringing up a plethora of special guests musicians from the weekend!The Seldom Scene is an award-winning bluegrass band established 1971 and they have been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. The band has a long history with the Spirit of the Suwannee indirectly through the Cornett family’s iconic Festival of the Bluegrass held annually in Lexington, KY. Established in 1974 by the same family that owns SOSMP, this family-run festival is June 7- 10, 2018. The Seldom Scene will now bring their talented musicians, signature sound, solid repertoire and sheer sense of fun to Suwannee Roots Revival.Samantha Fish makes her Suwannee debut! She is a rising star in the contemporary blues world with sublime acoustic guitar skills as well as rootsy, emotionally resonant songwriting. This charismatic young singer-guitarist-songwriter has earned a reputation as a guitar hero and powerful live performer.GRAMMY-award winner Peter Rowan is a singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades. From his early years playing under the tutelage of Bluegrass veteran Bill Monroe, to his time in Old & In the Way and his breakout as a solo musician and bandleader, and now his project, The Free Mexican Airforce, is flying again! This is Peter Rowan plugged in, a real treat!Jim Lauderdale has done and said everything you can say about bluegrass and Americana three times over and he still has plenty of fresh takes and inspiration pushing him ever forward. His appearances at SOSMP, be it as his own featured singer-songwriter sets of his varied and amazing sit ins with all of his many friends on the line-up, particularly those Americana rockers Donna the Buffalo. Come see what GRAMMY voters, fans radio program and music lovers in general have all agreed… Jim Lauderdale is an artist not to miss.For over thirty years, Verlon Thompson has been making his path as as a professional songwriter and traveling troubadour. Singer… songwriter… storyteller… Few are true masters of any one of those disciplines, but Verlon has put his stamp on each. As a solo performer, and as the trusted sidekick of Texas Americana songwriting icon Guy Clark, Verlon has viewed the world from stages everywhere from Barcelona to Binger (his hometown in Oklahoma). Thompson has a potent future head of him as an elder statesman of Americana itself. Simply put… when he speaks all should listen.The de facto spiritual leader of our music festival community here at the Spirit Of Suwannee has to be Rev. Jeff Mosier, and we’re totally fine to help him spread his vision and guidance through his communing with the divine. His quantification of the spiritual state of the Spirit of Suwannee nation is always spot on, and his sonic sermons on Sundays have left indelible marks on his fans, old and new alike. Scrugg’s-style banjo picker, Mosier is one of the earliest music pioneers who merged bluegrass instruments and traditional tunes with the magnetic energy of rock and roll, founded the jamgrass band Blueground Undergrass (BGUG) in 1998 after years of crafting his banjo skills in various bands, playing everything from bluegrass with his brother Johnny (Good Medicine) to experimental rock (Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit) to jazz-fusion (The Ear Reverents).Be on the lookout for additional artists to be added to this already incredible line up, including a group of bands designed specially to get you out on the Dance Tent Floor. We’ll have Contra, Cajun, and more – maybe even a little Salsa thrown in there for you! The festival is sure to inspire some special moments moments whether on stage or off and, as always, pays tribute and remembers our beloved artists who have passed on with our memorial Vassar Sunday.Hosted by long time friends of the park, Randy Judy and Beth Judy, Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on amazing roots music that ties together a weekend laced with community based fun, growing friendships, laughing families, and that feel good feeling you get from hanging out in such a beautiful natural setting.“Indeed, emotion and enjoyment have equal standing at the Suwannee Roots Revival,” writes No Depression’s Lee Zimmerman. “As festivals go, it’s close to pure perfection.”SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded Camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364­-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site atwww.musicliveshere.com for further information.A limited number of Early Bird Tickets are on sale now for $140 for a 4-­day Weekend Pass which includes music, primitive camping (where is most cases you can camp right by your car!), all taxes, and handling fees. Kids age 12 and under are invited to join for free when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who buys a multi-day ticket. There are also military and student discounts available.Suwannee Roots Revival is encouraging folks to “Bring A Friend” that has never been to Suwannee Roots Revival. One of the rewards of bringing a new to Roots friend is a Bean Spence Signature Hat Pin – numbered and only available by this program. Complete “Bring A Friend” program details are forthcoming. See all rates and tiers and get tickets at www.suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets. While you are there, sign up for our Suwannee Roots Revival Newsletter to make sure you get up to the minute information on festival happenings.Suwannee Roots Revival Initial Lineup 2018Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBendersDonna the BuffaloThe Seldom SceneSamantha FishPeter Rowan Free Mexican AirforceJim LauderdaleVerlon ThompsonRev. Jeff MosierThe Lonely Heartstring BandTornado Rider Joe Craven & The SometimersThe Lee BoysSauce BossBelle and The BandWhetherman QuartermoonSloppy JoeTania & Magic Moon Traveling CircusMore to be announced…Further information atwww.SuwanneeRootsRevival.com. Also visit us on atwww.facebook.com/suwanneeroots,Twitter & Instagram: @SuwanneeRoots (#SuwanneeRoots)

LIVE OAK, FL — Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is happy to announce the final lineup for theSuwannee Spring Reunion on March 23 – 25, 2017, at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. Joining some of the stellar acts already announced are Sara Watkins, Hot Buttered Rum, Tornado Rider, Roy Book Binder, Josh Daniel/Mark Schimick Project,Nikki Talley, Ralph Roddenbery & The B-Sides, Grass Is Dead, Lon and Lis Williamson,The Adventures of Annabelle Lyn, Bobby Miller and the Virginia Daredevils, Whetherman, Flea Market Hustlers, The Applebutter Express, Habanero Honeys, Old Dawgs New Trixx, and Artist at Large: Mickey Abraham.

Artists that have already been announced include Donna the Buffalo, Jerry Douglas Presents Earls of Leicester, Peter Rowan Band, Jim Lauderdale, Jeff Mosier with Pickled Holler, Verlon Thompson, and Joe Craven. See the full line-up below.

Along with two stages of music, Suwannee Spring Reunion will have hands on and performance workshops featuring festival artists. All the kids can get really excited too because Tania & the Magic Moon Traveling Circus and Suwannee Spirit Kids Music Camp will be providing a weekend to remember.

Expect camp pickin’ parties, wonderful food and crafts, and enjoy the Park’s many other attractions including disc golf, miles of hiking and biking trails, the bat house, and the chance to venture Way Down Upon The Suwannee River.

Festival Director Beth Judy says, “I am so excited about Suwannee Spring Reunion. To me, when spring is in the air, it is a very special time of year to gather with friends and family. This festival is truly a reunion; we have artists coming together who have been at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in different incarnations many times over the years, so much they are family. It’s a coming home too for many friends, family, and chosen family joining together to celebrate life love & music under the oaks.”

Tickets are on sale now with a price increase in one week on February 22nd. Suwannee Spring Reunion is offering a multi-day ticket that includes festival admission for three days of music, as well as primitive camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Advance tickets are only $99 + taxes and fees; Students and military with a valid ID are $89.45 + taxes and fees. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Get your tickets now, because prices at the gate will be higher! Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events.For more information and to reserve camping, please visit www.suwanneespringreunion.com.

LIVE OAK, FL — Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is happy to announce theSuwannee Spring Reunion on March 23 – 25, 2017, at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. The initial lineup includes Donna the Buffalo, Jerry Douglas presents Earls of Leicester, Peter Rowan Band, Jim Lauderdale, Jeff Mosier with Pickled Holler, Verlon Thompson, Joe Craven, Turtle Duhks, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, Sloppy Joe, and Quartermoon. Many great additions will be announced! After careful consideration, for those who are wondering about the traditional spring festival at Spirit of the Suwannee and given today’s dynamic musical environment; we are proud to offer three glorious days of music this spring. The folks who sparked Fall’s Suwannee Roots Revival, Randy and Beth Judy, and Paul Levine have graciously offered to help put together an intimate and powerful weekend of music, camping, laughter, and fun! We hope you will join us!

Thanks to everyone that came out to support the inaugural Suwannee Roots Revival, which took place last October, making it a wonderful festival experience! We hope that you will plan to attend the next Suwannee Roots Revival on October 12-15, 2017. Stay tuned for more on SRR.

Suwannee Spring Reunion attendees can expect workshops, a Kid’s Tent, Yoga, camp pickin’ parties, and wonderful food and crafts, along with the Park’s other many attractions: disc golf, miles of hiking and biking trails, the bat house, and the chance to venture Way Down Upon The Suwannee River. Tickets are on sale January 19th. Suwannee Spring Reunion will be offering a multi-day ticket that includes festival admission for three days of music, as well as primitive camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Advance tickets are only $99 + taxes and fees; Students and military with a valid ID are $89.45 + taxes and fees. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Get your tickets now, because prices at the gate will be higher! SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events.For more information and to reserve camping, please visit www.suwanneespringreunion.com.

Live Oak, FL — On March 19-22, 2015, the 19th annual Suwannee Springfest kicks off the spring festival season at The Spirit Of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. A gem of a festival with beautiful early spring weather in a stunning natural setting, Suwannee Springfest is thrilled to announce a few additions to the already stellar lineup. Additions include Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, Del McCoury & David Grisman, Hot Rize with Red Knuckles and The Trailblazers, Jeff Austin, The Duhks, Pgrass, Virginia Dare Devils, Whetherman, Flagship Romance, The Applebutter Express, Big Cosmo, Canary in the Coalmine, and Acoustic Ensemble.

Bands that have already been announced to perform are The Wood Brothers, Shovels and Rope, Keller Williams and The Travelin’ McCourys, The Infamous Stringdusters, Blind Boys of Alabama, Donna The Buffalo, Larry Keel Experience, Cabinet, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, The Seth Walker Band, Fruition, Town Mountain, Joe Craven, amongst others.

Festivalgoers experience four days of superb music in the midst of a friendly, family-style environment with good times including music from usual festival favorites, as well as lots of talented new faces in Bluegrass & Newgrass, Acoustic Blues, Roots Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Cajun/Zydeco, New & Traditional Folk and other forms of American Roots music.

Along with the camping, there are nearly 12 miles of trails suitable for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature exploring. For RV hook ups, cabin rentals and golf cart rentals, please call SOSMP at (386)364-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events including Wannee, Magnolia Fest, Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival, Hulaween, and Aura Music Festival amongst others. Please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com or call them at 386-364-1683 for information.

Get your tickets in advance for Suwannee Springfest and save for $160 until February 28th; $175 from March 1st through March 18th; and $200 at the gate. Individual day tickets are also available. Student / Military Ticket $150 Advance. Tickets are inclusive of all taxes and fees, and include 4 days of primitive camping and music Thursday – Sunday nights. Kids under 12 are invited to join for free. Attendees can also upgrade for a VIP Experience which includes a four-day ticket with primitive camping, dinners Thursday – Saturday evenings, a VIP Laminate, a swag bag with the festival poster, a cap, and other goodies for $300 through February 15th ($350 from 2/16 on and at gates. If you purchase a VIP Ticket you will be entered into a drawing for a pair of upgraded All Access Passes. Please visit SuwanneeSpringfest.com for ticketing and other information.

On March 19-22, 2015, the 19th annual Suwannee Springfest kicks off the spring festival season at The Spirit Of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. A gem of a festival with beautiful early spring weather in a stunning natural setting, Suwannee Springfest is excited to announce a stand-out initial lineup with the Wood Brothers, Shovels and Rope, Infamous Stringdusters, Keller Williams & The Travelin’ McCourys, Blind Boys of Alabama, Larry Keel Experience, Donna The Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Joe Craven and Verlon Thompson. Tickets are on sale in advance starting Saturday, November 15th and will also be available gate.

Festivalgoers experience four days of superb music in the midst of a friendly, family-style environment with good times including music from usual festival favorites, as well as lots of talented new faces in Bluegrass & Newgrass, Acoustic Blues, Roots Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Cajun/Zydeco, New & Traditional Folk and other forms of American Roots music.

Get your tickets for Magnolia Fest now and save for $145 until 1/11; $165 until 2/15; $180 until 3/18 ($200 at the gate). Student / Military Ticket $145 Advance. Tickets are inclusive of all taxes and fees, and include 4 days of primitive camping and music Thursday – Sunday nights. Kids under 12 are invited to join for free. Attendees can also upgrade for a VIP Experience which includes a four-day ticket with primitive camping, dinners Thursday – Saturday evenings, a VIP Laminate, a swag bag with the festival poster, a cap, and other goodies for $300. If you purchase a VIP Ticket you will be entered into a drawing for a pair of upgraded All Access Passes.

Along with the camping, there are nearly 12 miles of trails suitable for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature exploring. For RV hook ups, cabin rentals and golf cart rentals, please call SOSMP at (386)364-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events including Wannee, Magnolia Fest, Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival, Hulaween, and Aura Music Festival amongst others. Please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com or call them at 386-364-1683 for information.

Brought together three years ago for a night of unrehearsed interaction as a fundraiser for school programs by The Rooster’s Wife, an arts organization in Aberdeen, NC that focuses on education and specializes in unusual pairings of artists, the two fell into a serendipitous experience. Not until the evening was winding down did it become known that the two had last seen each other when performing on Jerry Garcia’s final recording. The program was a resounding success, not only for the small non profit, but as kindling for a renewed musical friendship. Isis is happy to be keep this musical spirit growing.

Multiple Grammy- Award Winner Howard Levy is an acknowledged master of the diatonic harmonica, a superb pianist, innovative composer, recording artist, bandleader, teacher, producer, and Chicago area resident. His musical travels have taken him all over the geographical world and the musical map. Equally at home in Jazz, Classical music, Rock, Folk, Latin, and World Music, he brings a fresh lyrical approach to whatever he plays. This has made him a favorite with audiences worldwide, and a recording artist sought after by the likes of Kenny Loggins, Dolly Parton, Paquito D’Rivera, Styx, Donald Fagen, and Paul Simon. As a sideman, Howard has appeared on hundreds of CDs and played on many movie soundtracks.
He is perhaps best known for the four CD’s he recorded with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, a unique band that set the musical world on its ear back in the early 1990’s. He got back together with the band in 2010 and recorded the CD Rocket Science. They toured extensively in 2011-2012, and Howard won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for “Life in Eleven”, which he wrote with Bela Fleck.

Creativity educator, former museum curator, visual artist, actor/storyteller, festival emcee and recipient of the 2009 Folk Alliance Far-West Performer of the Year, Joe Craven has made music with many folks ranging from multi-string instrumentalist David Lindley to Blues slide guitar master Roy Rogers to Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia and groups from Psychograss to The Persuasions to The Horseflies. He was percussionist and fiddler for mandolinist David Grisman for almost 17 years and was special guest with fusion banjo player Alison Brown and her Quartet for almost 7 years.

Always looking for the next expression and object to make music with, Joe is a musical madman with anything that has strings attached or not; violin, mandolin, tin can, bedpan, cookie tin, tenor guitar/banjo, mouth bow, canjoe, cuatro, balalaika, boot ‘n lace and double-necked whatever. He has created music and sound effects for commercials, soundtracks, computer games and contributions to several Grammy nominated projects. Joe’s performed at festivals and theaters worldwide, from Hardly Strictly to The Kennedy Center and from CA Worldfest to Carnegie Hall, where he joined folks like Yo-Yo Ma and Mark O’Connor to help celebrate Stephane Grappelli’s 80th birthday.

On March 15th at Isis, expect the unexpected with percussion of the highest order and in all types of arrangements- from piano to Bundt pan, along with mandolin, violin and of course harmonica played like no one else.

This is a seated concert with dinner reservations. Reservations can be made by calling Isis at 828-575-2737. There are a limited number of reservations at tables of 4 or 8. There is also theater-style and limited balcony seating seating available on a first come first serve basis.

Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival and Purple Hatter’s Ball Dates also Announced

Big IV Productions is proud to announce details for the 15th annual Suwannee Springfest. The perfect way to kick-off festival season, the event will take place March 24-27, 2011 at Live Oak, Florida’s Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Voted “Florida’s Best Live Music Venue” in 2009 by readers of Florida Monthly Magazine, the park resides next to the historic Suwannee River and boasts over 800 acres of perfect campsites with Spanish moss covered oak and pine trees providing shade and mood. Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is also a full service campground offering cabin rentals, RV hookups, and a wide range of amenities including a restaurant, general store, showers and bathrooms.

2011 Suwannee Springfest Ticket Info: Early bird tickets are on sale now until January 31 for $125. From February 1–March 15 tickets will be priced at $150. From March 16-March 23 tickets will be $165. From that point on, including at the festival gates, all weekend tickets will be $180. Saturday/Sunday two-day passes (with camping) will be $145 and available only at the gate. Single day tickets will be priced as follows: Thursday: $50, Friday: $65, Saturday: $75, Sunday: $50 (single day tickets do not include camping). All weekend tickets include music, camping Thursday-Sunday nights, and all fees and taxes. For more information on Suwannee Springfest, including up-to-date lineup and ticket details, go to: suwanneespringfest.com

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is also home to other Big IV Productions, including the Blackwater Music Festival(new in 2010) and the Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival (which recently celebrated its fourth). Hosted each November, the 2010 Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival was such a huge success and attracts such a loyal group of attendees, that dates and select artists have already been announced for next year. Scheduled for November 11-13, 2011, the preliminary lineup includes Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood, The Funky Meters, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, John Scofield & Piety Street, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce, George Porter, Jr., Jon Cleary, and the Pimps of Joytime. For more information on the Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival go to: http://www.bearcreekmusicfestival.com/

The annual Purple Hatter’s Ball, celebrating the life of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, will also once again take place at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The 2011 event is set for May 13 & 14. More details will be announced soon. For more information on the Purple Hatter’s Ball go to: http://rachelmorningstarfoundation.org/

About Big IV Productions: Big IV Productions is owned and operated by Paul Levine and Lyle Williams, founders of the Bear Creek Music Festival and co-producers of the brand new Blackwater Music Festival with Blackwater Music, LLC (a company owned by Williams and Judy Van Zant / owner of Jacksonville Beach, FL’s Freebird Live). For 2011, Big IV Productions adds the 15th annual Suwanee Springfest to their family of festivals. Deeply engrained in the Florida music scene, Big IV Productions is also partners in Tallahassee’s Engine Room as well as Suwannee River Jam, and producers of the Purple Hatter’s Ball.